Infections And Infertility

What types of
infection cause fertility problems?

Infection in the testes (orchitis) can damage the sperm-producing
tubes (seminiferous tubules) and stop sperm production.

Infections in the reproductive tract caused by sexually transmitted
infections, particularly untreated gonorrhoea, may cause blockages
in the tail of the epididymis or other parts of the male genital
tract.

Non-specific epididymo-orchitis or prostate infections may sometimes
cause blockages along the reproductive tract.

Although an infection is often only temporary, severe
damage can leave men permanently infertile. Mumps is the most
common infection of the testes but is less likely to occur following
the introduction of immunisation programs for children.

How does mumps
cause infertility?

Mumps that spreads to the testes is called mumps
orchitis. Mumps orchitis is the most well known infection of the
testis and is caused by an infection with the mumps virus. Mumps
orchitis does not always accompany mumps, but when it occurs after
puberty can cause major swelling and pain. It can also totally
destroy the sperm-producing tubes (seminiferous tubules) and
permanently stop sperm production. Mild cases of mumps orchitis may
only stop sperm production for six to twelve months. Mumps vaccine
is available and boys should be immunised in infancy to avoid
infection and possible infertility in adult life.

How do sexually
transmitted infections affect fertility?

Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoea,
can damage or block the epididymis so that sperm cannot pass from
the testis into the ejaculate. Because the testis only contributes
a small part to the ejaculate, these blockages do not obviously
change the amount of fluid ejaculated but no sperm will be found in
the ejaculate (azoospermia).

What is
epididymo-orchitis?

Epididymo-orchitis is caused by viral or bacterial infections of the
testes and epididymis. Pain and swelling usually last for several
days. Epididymo-orchitis sometimes happens with urinary tract
infections and can cause permanent blockages to sperm transport and
testicular damage but this is rare.

Early treatment with antibiotics is recommended to
prevent testicular damage becoming too severe.

How do prostate
infections cause infertility?

Since the ejaculatory duct passes through the prostate gland,
infections of the prostate can cause swelling and block off part of
the reproductive tract that passes through the prostate. This can
also stop sperm from being ejaculated. Because the prostate and
seminal vesicles contribute most of the fluid to the ejaculate, a
blockage near the prostate can sometimes reduce the volume of
ejaculate. Infections of the prostate and seminal vesicles can also
cause inflammatory cells to pass into the ejaculate, which may
damage the sperm.

Very rarely, a man may have a congenital abnormality
(a problem they have been born with) in which lumpy growths or
‘cysts’ in the prostate gland have formed. These cysts can also
cause blockage of sperm at this level.

Can surgery
repair blockages in the epididymis?

Some couples become pregnant naturally after surgery to remove
blockages caused by infections. The success of surgery depends on
the amount of damage and where the blockage is located in the
reproductive tract. Blockages near the testes (as in the epididymis)
are particularly hard to fix because of the smaller size of the tube
and difficulty in locating the site(s) of blockage. Sperm
antibodies are also often a problem for men with these blockages and
may also reduce the chance of natural pregnancy.

You should discuss with your surgeon what they
believe your success rate might be for this type of procedure.

Can blockages
in the prostate be treated?

Treatment of the infection in the prostate gland may remove the
blockage and allow the flow of sperm again.

Sometimes surgery to remove cysts in the prostate is
performed by inserting an operating telescope through the penis.
Removal of the cyst by surgery can remove the blockage to sperm
transport so that the man is able to achieve a pregnancy naturally
following the surgery.

What are the
risks with surgery?

All surgery, particularly where there is a general anaesthetic, has
some risks that need to be discussed with the doctor.

The risks with these operations are small, however,
sometimes bleeding and infection can develop at the site of the
operation.

Are there other
ways to treat sperm blockages?

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) or other forms of assisted reproduction
may be performed if men wish to have a family and do not wish to
have surgery, or surgery was unsuccessful, to remove the blockage.
A biopsy, or sample of the testis, is taken to find sperm that can
be used for ICSI/IVF procedures.

Most people assume that infections cause only
temporary problems with their health. In fact, if an infection is
not treated properly or quickly, it can cause serious problems
throughout your body. And this includes your fertility.

What Type of
Infection Will Affect My Fertility?

Almost any type of infection that makes an impact on your immune
system can impair your fertility. In particular, those that affect
your reproductive tract, including the prostate, epididymis or the
testis, can hinder your fertility. It is unlikely that an infection
will impair your fertility so much as to make you sterile, though.

Most of the time, the effects of an infection are
only temporary. While a pesky cold or some other type of infection
may lower your sperm count or slow down your sperm’s motility, more
often than not, your sperm will rebound back to normal in a few
months.

Those That Damage

There are some infections, however, that can do serious damage if
not looked after right away. Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are the most common infection associated with male infertility. If
they are left untreated, you are repeatedly infected, or have
frequent flare-ups, scarring and blockage in the reproductive tracts
can occur. Mycoplasma, an organism often found in sexually active
men, can attach itself to sperm cells, thereby impeding motility.

Another illness that is often associated with male
infertility is the mumps. Men who contract the mumps after puberty
are at risk of developing fertility problems. This is because the
illness can lead to orchitis, or inflammation of the testicles.
While this complication is rare, if it does occur, it can impair
sperm production and sometimes lead to permanent sterility.

Getting Treatment

Unfortunately, many times infections do not cause any symptoms. STDs
in particular are known for not producing any signs or symptoms. As
a result, getting treatment for the infection may be delayed or
never occur causing permanent damage to the reproductive organs. If
your sperm production or reproductive tracts have been extensively
damaged, it may be necessary to use surgical sperm retrieval methods
in combination with ICSI and IVF. Alternately, you may decide to use
a sperm donor in combination with IUI.

In
cases where symptoms do emerge or the infection is caught early on,
antibiotics may be prescribed which should clear up the problem,
thereby minimizing any damage to your fertility. If damage, such as
scarring or blockage, has already occurred in your reproductive
tract, then surgery may be done that can clear up the block or
remove the scar tissue.

Treatment

Treatment for Male Infection by Dr. & Hakeem
Tariq Mehmood Taseer

Pure herbal treatment by Dr.& Hakeem Tariq Mehmood
Taseer to cure infections with well proven
results. Has a very high success rate in treating
different causes of infections. Dosage and
duration of the treatment may vary as per the patient
profile. Treatment is without any side effect.